Flooding Spotlight

Flooding

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Floods can be local and impact
single towns or communities or can be widespread affecting entire river basins and
multiple states. Some floods develop slowly during periods of steady rain while flash floods
can come about more quickly, sometimes with little warning. Flash floods can often be accompanied
by a wall of water that carries rocks, mud, and other debris, sweeping away most things in
its path. Flooding is very dangerous to both people and property. Quickly moving water can be
particularly dangerous and can bury houses, destroy bridges and carry off cars, animals and even
people. According to the Weather Channel, just six inches of quickly moving water can knock a person
down and just two feet of water is enough to float a large car or bus.

Every state in the United States is at risk from flooding. Areas that are low-lying, near water, or downstream
from a dam are at an increased risk for flooding. Even small bodies of water, dry streambeds and low lying land
may be harmlesss in dry weather but can flood and very quickly become dangerous under the right conditions.